By Faith, Not By Sight by Scott MacIntyre

In "By Faith, Not By Sight", Scott MacIntyre tells the true story of his ultimate successes in music and education despite the serious obsticles of being born blind and nearly dying before receiving a life-saving kidney transplant.

As a blind person, Scott had to work harder and trust others more than sighted people but he never let his blindness stop him from achieving his dream of becoming a professional pianist and singer. His hard work, dedication and faith in God resulted in the eventual acheivement of his dream.

Beginning with his going to college in England on his own, followed by his try-outs on American Idol, he became an inspiration to many others blind like him.  During his persuit of college and hopes of winning the coveted American Idol competition, he was forced to deal with the diaganosis of kidney failure. One of the things I liked so much in reading the book was his unashamed admission of his fear and depression about the serious condition he faced and asking God, "why?" after he had enabled him to come so far. Scott unashamedly, shows the reader his humaness, unlike some others.  His faith in God never wavered and he was blessed to receive a donor kidney from Patricia Cosand, his piano professor's wife.

The American Idol competition was intense and exhausting. Those who just watch it on television have no idea what all is involved behind the scenes. Scott recounted the loss of sleep and the stress involved and how the judges are deliberately tough on the contestants in order to weed out those too weak of character to endure leaving only those who were really serious and were in it for the long hall.  The competition lasted several weeks but when it was all over Scott finally achieved what he worked so long and hard for. He won the competition and sang on stage in front of thousands of people, accompanying himself on the piano.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. I liked the first-person method he chose in which to write it. Aside from the sad parts, it was a book that made me feel good inside.  I highly recommend it to everyone, It's an easy read and an inspirational one.

I received this book free from Booksneeze of Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review. The words are my own.

Unashamed To Bear His Name by R.T. Kendall

In "Unashamed To Bear His Name", R.T.Kendall explains the shame and stigma that accompanies following Christ and he shows how we can become "unashamed" in letting others know of our faith as we endevour to win the lost to salvation in Christ. He says, "What is so offensive about the Christian faith can be briefly summed up: Jesus Christ is the only way to God and faith in the blood that He shed on the cross fits a person for heaven when they die".

He begins with a short story of his life and faith and his 25 years as the senior minister of Westminster Chapel in London England (chapter 1) which I found interesting and appreciated his incuding it as I, for one, always like knowing something about the authors of books I read.

Following that are 14 chapters in which he expounds on the subject including "The Gospel", "The Most Important Question", "Name-Calling", " The Stigma Of Suspicion', etc.

While I didn't agree with a everything the author put forth, I did find the book a very interesting and thought provoking read. His style of writing is easy to follow and it flows nicely.  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

I received this book free from Chosen, a division of Baker Publishing Group and Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. The words, except for the quote, are my own.